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Rocky View County is strengthening oversight of inspection, testing, and maintenance records for privately owned fire hydrants to support compliance with the Alberta Safety Codes Act.
There are over 1,100 fire hydrants located in Rocky View County, and more than 800 are managed by private utilities. Where hydrants are privately managed, the utility is responsible for routine inspection, testing, maintenance, and sharing records of inspection with the County.
To promote consistent reporting practices from these utilities, Rocky View County is taking steps to ensure that reporting on fire hydrants is shared with the County annually.
Fire Protection Update for the Swift Creek Area
While hydrants within the Westridge system remain out of service or under review, Rocky View County Fire Services continues to provide fire protection to the Swift Creek area through accredited tanker shuttle operations.
In June 2026, Rocky View County Fire Services received Fire Underwriters Survey accreditation for its Superior Tanker Shuttle Service, following a successful evaluation completed in April. The accreditation applies to approved water sources and eligible properties within an 8 km service radius of Elbow Valley Fire Station 101, confirming that Fire Services can provide an approved tanker shuttle water supply while hydrants are unavailable. The accreditation also establishes an improved Fire Underwriters Survey dwelling protection rating for eligible properties within the service area.
Rocky View County Fire Services is continuing to expand Superior Tanker Shuttle Service accreditation to additional areas in west Rocky View County, including Springbank and Bearspaw. Operational planning is currently underway for future accreditation testing from Springbank Fire Station 102. Subject to Fire Underwriters Survey approval, feasibility testing is anticipated in fall 2026, with formal accreditation testing expected before spring 2027.
Superior Tanker Shuttle Service is one of several approaches being considered as part of Rocky View County's Fire Master Plan, which is currently under development. Learn more about Rocky View County's work on a revised Fire Services Master Plan here: (link to master plan section).
Previous Updates
- 1
August 1, 2025
Rocky View County took enforcement action to Westridge Utilities Inc. in the Springbank area (Swift Creek Estates) to require records of fire hydrant inspection and maintenance compliance.
- 2
August 13, 2025
Westridge Utilities Inc. filed an appeal with the Enforcement Appeal Committee for the County against the enforcement order.
- 3
November 18, 2025
Rocky View County Enforcement Appeal Committee meeting was held to address the appeal by Westridge Utilities Inc. against the Enforcement Order.
- 4
December 12, 2025
Rocky View County received a separate Order from the Safety Codes Council, which found that Westridge Utilities Inc., did not provide required fire hydrant inspection and testing records needed to demonstrate compliance with Alberta fire safety requirements.
The Order also states that Rocky View County must expand its enforcement actions beyond the Springbank area to all subdivisions where hydrants are present.
- 5
December 30, 2025
The Enforcement Appeal Committee confirmed the Order requiring Westridge Utilities to share fire hydrant service and maintenance records with Rocky View County, providing the County a starting point to guide further County-wide enforcement efforts.
- 6
May 2026
The County recognizes resident's concerns regarding Westridge Utilities, including fire hydrant servicing, regulatory compliance and potential insurance implications. Following is the most recent update:
- The inspection reports were received by Rocky View County on April 30, 2026.
- The County is in the process of determining the deficiencies and outlining the next steps for compliance actions required by Westridge.
- The County has commenced enforcement proceedings against Westridge Utilities relating to bylaw and Safety Code compliance in Swift Creek Estates.
- These matters are currently before the Court, and periodic updates will be added to this website.
While the compliance process continues, Rocky View County Fire Services has implemented operational mitigation measures to address fire protection concerns in affected areas, including deployment protocols involving water tenders, shuttle operations, mutual aid arrangements, and area-specific response planning. As previously noted on the County’s website:
- In areas without hydrants, Rocky View County fire engines carry larger water tanks, and a water tender is dispatched with the first fire truck. If additional water is needed, tender trucks can shuttle water from the nearest available source. Mutual aid agreements with neighbouring communities provide additional support when required.
- If more water is needed from an off-site source, tender trucks establish a shuttle system between the incident scene and the nearest available water source to support sustained operations.
- Rocky View County Fire Services also conducts area-specific training so crews understand local conditions and can request the right resources quickly.
Public safety and the integrity of essential utility infrastructure are important priorities for the County. To that end, the County seeks to bring Westridge Utilities into regulatory and operational compliance. Once the court issues a compliance order against Westridge Utilities with respect to Swift Creek Estates, the County plans to seek compliance for all communities served by Westridge Utilities.
The County appreciates the efforts of community representatives in sharing information and communicating constructively on these issues. To assist us in our enforcement efforts, please continue to provide any information that can be appropriately shared.
What this means for residents
- If you live in a subdivision with privately managed hydrants, your utility operator will receive a request from the County to submit inspection and testing records for all fire hydrants.
- If records are unavailable, third-party hydrant testing may be required, at the private hydrant owner’s expense.
- The County will track progress through a centralized compliance system and provide regular updates to Council.
- Updates will be posted on this page as work continues.
If you are unsure whether hydrants in your area are privately managed, or you have questions about this work, contact Rocky View County at (403) 230-1401 or questions@rockyvew.ca.
What is changing?
As Rocky View County expands this work across subdivisions where fire hydrants are present, the biggest change is increased County oversight of privately managed hydrant inspection, testing, and maintenance records.
- The County is expanding compliance work beyond the Springbank area to all subdivisions where fire hydrants are present.
- Private utilities will be required to submit inspection and testing records to demonstrate compliance with Alberta fire safety requirements.
- Where records are missing or unavailable, the County may require independent third-party testing by qualified contractors, at the private hydrant owner’s expense.
- The County is establishing centralized tracking and will provide updates to Council.
What is not changing
In areas where hydrants are privately managed, private utilities remain responsible for routine inspection, testing, maintenance, and recordkeeping.
Action plan
From January 2026 through spring 2026, Rocky View County intends to:
- Issue compliance notices to identified private hydrant owners requiring submission of inspection and testing records within 60 days.
- Arrange independent third-party hydrant testing by qualified contractors where records are unavailable, at the private hydrant owner’s expense.
- Establish a centralized compliance tracking and reporting system, with regular updates to Council.
- Work directly with private utility operators and infrastructure owners to clarify requirements and timelines.
Fire hydrants in Rocky View County
Fire hydrants are available in some areas of the County and not in others. Fire response is planned based on local conditions, including the availability of hydrants and water sources.
In areas without hydrants, Rocky View County fire engines carry larger water tanks and a water tender is dispatched with the first fire truck. If additional water is needed, tender trucks can shuttle water from the nearest available source. Mutual aid agreements with neighbouring communities provide additional support when required.
If more water is needed from an off-site source, tender trucks establish a shuttle system between the incident scene and the nearest available water source to support sustained operations. Rocky View County Fire Services also conducts area-specific training so crews understand local conditions and can request the right resources quickly.
Fire Services Master Plan
Rocky View County is developing a Fire Services Master Plan to help guide the future of fire service delivery across the County.
The Fire Services Master Plan is part of a broader Fire Policy Framework that will support long-term planning, growth management, budgeting, and Council decision-making. It will help identify priorities and recommendations to ensure fire services continue to meet the needs of residents as the County grows and changes.
As part of this work, the County is seeking public feedback on several key topics, including:
- the proposed Fire Services Master Plan vision and goals;
- current and future fire service levels;
- community risk profiles;
- factors that may trigger future service level reviews; and
- the proposed approach to a Fire Offsite Levy Bylaw.
The Fire Services Master Plan will also consider a range of approaches to strengthening fire protection across the County, including water supply, hydrant reliability, Superior Tanker Shuttle Service, regional partnerships, supporting infrastructure, and future capital investment.
Public input will be considered alongside technical studies, fire service expertise, growth projections, and legislative requirements to help inform recommendations that will be presented to Council.
Frequently Asked Questions
Project outcomes
Rocky View County will provide a comprehensive report to the Safety Codes Council by December 31, 2027, detailing the steps taken to achieve compliance, including enforcement actions, communications with hydrant owners, and a plan for ongoing oversight.